Flood control system



Sept. 25, 1951 E. F. HOWE I 2,569,102

FLOOD CONTROL SYSTEM Filed Aug. 26, 1949 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 1%0672703 j/77Q 0W6,

Sept. 25, 1951 .E. F. HOWE 2,569,102

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FLOOD CONTROL SYSTEM Filed Aug. 26, 1949 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 Sept. 25, 1951 E. F. HOWE 2,569,102

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FLOOD CONTROL SYSTEM Filed Aug. 26, 1949 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 Patented Sept. 25, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FLOOD CONTROL SYSTEM Elra F. Howe, Chicago, Ill.

Application August 26, 1949, Serial No. 112,587

14 Claims.

This invention relates to a flood control system, and more particularly to a system adapted to be associated with a drainage disposal pipe leading from a building to a sewer connection.

One feature of this invention is that it provides an improved flood control system; another feature of this invention is that it provides a flood control system having a vent opening providing communication between the disposal pipe on opposite sides of the main valve when the main valve is closed to prevent the accumulation of air in the pipe on the outlet side of the main valve; another feature of this invention is that it provides a small vent opening through the check valve in the by-pass passageway through which material is pumped under flood conditions, this vent opening automatically being kept clean by reversal of liquid flow in the system; a further feature of the invention is that it provides spring means normally biasing the main valve means in the disposal pipe toward open position, together with motor mean for positively closing the main valve means; still a further feature of this invention is that it provides guide means between the disintegrating means and the intake of the pump in the system to define a tapering flow path into said intake; an additional feature of the invention is that it provides a housing for the flood control system comprising a lower pit adjacent the disposal pipe, an upper pit adjacent the lower pit, and a drain pipe extending from the upper pit into a low portion of the by-pass passageway below the minimum level of liquid therein to provide a deep seal trap; still another feature of the invention is that it pro.- vides a flood control system having two pumps, together with control means for operating one pump under predetermined flood conditions and for operating both pumps under other predetermined flood conditions; yet a further feature of the invention is that it provides float actuated switch means for operating the pumps in actors before placing them under load; and yet an additional feature of the invention is that it provides an improved float actuated magnetic switch assembly for controlling the operation of the system.

Other features and advantages will be apparent from the following description and from the drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of my improved apparatus;

Fig. 2 is an end view thereof, looking from the left of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged horizontal plan view taken along the line 3--3 of Fig. 1, said view effectively removing the cover from the structure of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a vertical longitudinal section taken along the line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a horizontal section taken along the line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a detail section taken along the line 6-6 of Fig. 4;

Fig. '7 is a detail section taken along the line 1-1 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 8 is a further enlarged vertical section taken along the line 88 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view looking from the right of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged view, partly in section, showing the pump motor control mechanism;

Fig. 11 is a vertical section through a portion of the float actuated pump control means showing the parts in one position;

Fig. 12 is a section of the apparatus of Fig. 11, but showing the parts in another position;

Fig. 13 is a side elevational view, partly in section, of an embodiment of the invention wherein upper and lower pits are used; and

Fig. 14 is an enlarged vertical section through the check valve housing shown in Fig. 4.

This invention relates to improvements in a flood control system as disclosed in my Patent No. 2,421,066, which issued on May 27, 1947. Inasmuch as much of the apparatus is similar, it will be described only briefly here, and reference is had to the above mentioned patent for a full disclosure of the similar parts.

Briefly, the flood control system is associated with a disposal pipe, and the system includes main valve means in said pipe; valve operating means for opening and for positively closing the main valve means, said valve operating means including motor means; a by-pass passageway communicating with the disposal pipe on opposite sides of the main valve means; a check valve in the passageway permitting substantial flow only in the disposal direction; pump means in the passageway for forcing material in the pipe behind the main valve means through said passageway; control means for operating the valve closing motor means in accordance with the level of liquid in the pipe in front of the main valve means; and control means for operating the pump in accordance with the level of liquid in the pipe behind the main valve means. The terms behind, ahead, and in front of are used in the sense of normal flow movement through the disposal pipe, portions of the disposal pipe between the main valve means and the connection to the main sewer in the street being spoken of as being ahead or in front, of the main valve, and points on the other side of the main valve being spoken of as being behind it.

In the system, as disclosed in full detail in my earlier patent, a float controlled switch is provided in the disposal pipe ahead of the main valve, and when the water level in the disposal pipe rises to a predetermined height the float closes the switch in the circuit of the motor means which operate the main valve so that the main valve is closed, thus preventing water from backsageway including a check valve permitting substantial flow only in the disposal direction.

The present invention relates to improvements in the general system shown in my earlier patent in several respects. I have found that the pump forces air into the disposal pipe ahead of the main valve, and this sometimes results in allowing the valve controlling float to be lowered while flood conditions still prevail, so that the main valve would open, allowing water to back up into the building. I have remedied this. diffioulty by utilizing one or more vent openings. providing communication on opposite sides of the main valve, thereby equalizing pressure and preventing the accumulation or pocketing of air ahead of the valve. I prefer to provide a vent opening in the check valve in the by-pass. passageway because when the pump operates it forces a substantial flow of liquid through the passageway in one direction, while when the pump is not operating liquid may trickle through the passageway in the other direction. This periodic reversal of. flow automatically keeps the vent opening clean.

I have also found. that it is undesirable to attempt to open the main valve when a substantial pressure exists ahead of the main valve. In my earlier patent there was a direct and unyielding connection between the motor means and the main valve, and it sometimes happened that pressures ahead of the valve were so substantial that the motor could not open the valve, or even if the motor did open the valve, liquid would flow through the disposal pipe in a reverse direction behind the valve. I have remedied this difficulty by providing a spring connected to the main valve and normally biasing the main valve toward open position. I utilize the motor to close the valve positively, but permit the spring to open the valve. Consequently the motor will operate to permit the valve to open, but if substantial pressures exist the valve will stay closed and upon removal of these pressures the spring will cause the valve to open, thereby insuring that the valve never opens under flood conditions. It should be noted that there are still positive opening and closing forces for operating the valve, as distinguished from mere gravity forces and forces of the material flowing in the pipe. The positive closing force is exerted by the motor; and the positive opening force is exerted by a relatively strong spring, which, however, is yieldable. In the event substantial back pressures exist in the disposal pipe on the street side the spring will permit the back pressure to hold the valve closed, while still exerting a positive force to open the valve when the back pressure subsides.

Another improvement over my earlier apparatus resides in the provision of an upper pit seated on the pit which is adjacent the disposal pipe, the upper pit being equipped with a drain pipe running down through the lower pit and into the by-pass passageway adjacent the outlet of the pump and below the minimum level of liquid in the passageway to provide a deep seal water trap preventing the discharge of any gases into the upper pit. With this construction it is possible to standardize the size of the housing parts and to utilize two pits in the event the disposal pipe in the building is so low that the top of the first pit is below floor level.

I have also found that the disintegrating apparatus utilized in my earlier patent and fully disclosed therein forced the water in a rapidly moving stream around the peripher of the pump housing instead of forcing the water into the pump intake. To remedy this, I have provided a water guide between the disintegrator and the pump intake arranged to define a tapering flow path into the intake, thus improving the efliciency of the pump action.

In the apparatus disclosed in my earlier patent, the float for controlling the pump motors normally projected down into the disposal pipe behind the main valve, and this float impeded the normal flow of material through the disposal pipe. My present invention improves this arrangement by providing a connection between the float and the valve controlling motor and by including an arrangement whereby during normal conditions of flow in the disposal pipe, the float israised up to a point adjacent the top of the disposal pipe so that it presents no impedance to the flow of material through the pipe. This is important because my flood control apparatus is only operative when a flood occurs, which may be only a few times a year. The improved apparatus is so arranged that when the main valve is closed the pump controlling float simultaneously is lowered to operating position in the disposal pipe where it is under control of the level of liquid in the pipe. This arrangement gives better control over the quantity of liquid that can be pumped under flood conditions because it provides a larger range of movement of the float. Furthermore, the arrangement of the float-switch assembly is such that two pump motors can be utilized, one of said motors operating when the liquid in the pipe is at a predetermined level, and both of said motors operating when the liquid in the pipe is at a higher predetermined level. Also, by raising and lowering the float by means of the main valve motor, I am briefly to operate of the pump motors to limber them before placing them under continuous load. This is important because the motors may not have been operated for a period of several months and the lubricants in the motor may be stiff. As an additional advantage, raising the float to an out of the way position permits me to provide an arrangement so that the motors are shut off regardless of the level of material in the pipe behind the main valve means. Only when material is backing up ahead of the main valve means is it necessary to operate the motors.

Referring now to the drawings,thedisposal pipe is designated generally at [0. Preferably a special pipe section should be provided and placed in the sewer line. A pit structure designated generally at H is provided and the pipe section l extends longitudinally of the pit structure along the longitudinal center just below the bottom thereof. The pit structure preferably is of metal, having polygonal side walls [2, a removable cover l3, and a bottom H which has openings for insertion of portions of the apparatus into the disposal pipe. Dependent from the pit structure on opposite sides of the center line are pump housings I and I6.

A main valve in the disposal pipe provides a first chamber Na in front of the main valve and a second chamber [Db behind the main valve. As shown in Fig. 4, a vent 2| is provided adjacent the main valve providing communication between the chambers when the main valve is closed. This vent equalizes the pressure between the chambers Ila and [0b and prevents air from accumulating in the chamber [0a and disturbing operation of the apparatus. The valve 20 is controlled by means of float actuated switch means comprising a float 22 connected by means of an actuating rod 23 to a switch in a housing 24. This apparatus is similar to that disclosed in my earlier patent, the switch being connected in the circuit of a motor 25 which operates the valve 20. Inasmuch as the wires connecting these elements form a conventional circuit and are disclosed in my earlier patent they are not shown here. A crank arm on the shaft of the motor 25 is connected by a link 3| to a lever 32 which is connected by a link 33 to an actuating member 34. This actuating member has a flexible portion which is longitudinally movable in a guide sheath 35, and the other end of the actuating member extends into the pipe II and abuts against a pressure member 20a which carries the main valve 20. The pressure member is pivotally mounted in the pipe at 36 so that movement of the lever 32 to the right in Fig. 4 positively closes the main valve, this valve having a relatively heavy portion of soft rubber or other yieldable matter to insure closing even if some solid matter is wedged between the valve and the valve seat. While the end of the member 34 remains against the pressure member 20a, it is not connected to the pressure member, and the valve is caused to open by a spring 31 which is connected at one end to the main valve and at the other end to the top of the disposal pipe, this spring normally biasing the main valve toward open position. If for some reason the motor 25 should operate to allow the valve to open as shown in full lines in Fig. 4 while substantial pressures existed in the chamber Illa, the end of the actuating member 34 whould merely be retracted from the valve, but the valve would stay closed so long as the pressures in the chamber exceeded the force of the spring. When these pressures diminish the spring pulls the valve open.

While the valve is closed as shown in broken lines in Fig. 4, it is necessary to move material from the chamber lllb into the chamber Illa, and this is done in a manner similar to that disclosed in my earlier patent, pump means being utilized to force material from the chamber lllb through a by-pass passageway provided by a pipe 40, a housing H in this pipe containing a check valve H which permits substantial flow through the passageway only in the disposal direction (from left to right in Fig. 4). This check valve has been modified as shown in Fig. 14 and is provided with a small vent opening 19 therethrough. Inasmuch as the by-pass passageway may only be utilized infrequently, material may settle and harden around the check valve and impair the effectiveness of the check valve. The vent I8 in the check valve permits a small amount of liquid always to flow through the by-pass passageway and automatically keeps the check valve clean, since in the event of flood conditions a small stream of liquid would flow backwards through the passageway before the pump started to operate.

As may best be seen in Fig. 3, I provide a pair of passageways, the other passageway being designated 40a and having therein a check valve housing Ma, and each of these passageways leading from one of the pump housing into the chamber lfla.

In order to force material from the chamber Iflb to the chamber lea when the valve 20 is closed, two pumps are provided, one leading into each of the by-pass passageways and being housed in the respective housings I5 and I6. Inasmuch as these pumps and associated mechanisms are similar only one will be described. Above the housing It is a motor 42 having a shaft 43 extending into the housing l6 and having a plurality of disintegrator blades 44 mounted thereon, these blades extending between the bars 45 of a grate and extending closely adjacent the inner wall of the housing l6 so that distintegration of solid material is accomplished as disclosed in my earlier patent. Near the lower end of the motor shaft 43 the pump impeller 46 is mounted, this pump being of the common centrifugal type having a centrally located intake and an outlet at the periphery of the pump housing and leading into the by-pass passageway 40.

As may be seen from a consideration of Fig. 8, rapid rotation of the disintegrator blades 44 will cause the water to spin around the pump inlet, centrifugal force keeping the water away from the inlet. In order to increase the efiiciency of the pump I have devised a water guide between the disintegrating means and the intake of the pump for causing material to flow into the intake. The guide comprises a pair of stationary plates 41 and 48 of spiral formation arranged on opposite sides of the shaft 43 to define a tapering flow path into the intake as shown best in Fig. 6. These guides pick up the whirling stream of water developed by the impeller blades and direct it into the center of the housing and into the pump intake, thereby increasing the efficiency of the pump.

On the other side of the pit structure another motor 42a operates a similar pump, and similar disintegrating and water guiding apparatus is contained within the housing i5. For convenience of manufacture I form each of the castings of the pump housings with right and left knockout portions as may be seen at 15a and H322 and at lila and IBb in Fig. 5. By this means similar castings can be used on opposite sides of the pit, one of the knockout portions being open and connected to the by-pass passageway. Furthermore, the provision of two knockout portions makes it possible for-me to provide a deep seal water trap in a drain leading from an upper extension pit should the disposal pipe be located at a level so low that an additional pit is required.

7 Such an arrangement is shown in Fig. 13 where a lower pit H1 is provided adjacent a disposal pipe iii A pump housing H 6 depends from the lower pit, one of the knockout portions being utili'zed for connection to a by-pass passageway :as above described. The other knockout portion is opened at 39 and a drain pipe 481 is threaded into the top of the casting so that it E in communication with the portion N36 on the outlet side of the pump.

The drain pipe est-ends through the top 1 13 of the lower pit l it into an upper pit 182 which may be generally similar in shape to the lower pit ill. The upper end of the drain pipe is threaded to receive a plug 183. With this arrangement, the top of the upper pit may be 'in stalled level with the floor so that ready access may be had to the apparatus. In theevent water accumulates in the upper :pit it is not necessary for a worlnnan to remove all of the bolts .connecting the two pits, but the workman may merely remove the plug i313 and the upper pit will drain into the pump housing. Since the drain is connected into the by-pass passageway adjacent the outlet of the pump and below the minimum level of liquid in the passageway, a deep seal water trap is provided preventingthe discharge of any gases through the drain, and if desired the plug $83 may be omitted and the drain may be left open.

The motors G2 and 42a are operated by float actuated control means generallysimilar in function to that described in my earlier patent, each motor being connected to a source of power through a switch which is controlled by a float.

This float actuated control apparatus is shown in Figs. 4, 1G, 11 and 12 as comprising a float 58 in the chamber I51) and arranged to operate switch means within a housing Whereas in my earlier patent the float remained down in the path of iiow of material through the-chamber lllb so that the float level was always determined by the liquid level in the disposal pipe behind the main valve ans, I have devised an improved arrangemen wherein the float 5G normally is held in an out of the way position adjacent the top of the disposal pipeand the arrangement is such that closing the main valve 25 simultaneously lowers the ilcat down into the pipe where the level of the float (and consequently the operation of the motors 32 and it-a) is controlled by the level of liquid in the disposal pipe.

The control means comprises a magnetic switch assembly including a non-magnetic framework generally designated at 52 and including a sheath 52a. A mercury switch assembly 53 is mounted on the non-magnetic frame and includes a pivotally mounted holding structure 53a carrying a conventional glass envelope type mercury switch 53b. A portion of the switch assembly comprises a permanent magnet 530, which may be Alnico or other magnetic retentive material. The arrangement is such that the switch is biased by spring means or otherwise to normally open position, the switch being tilted when in this position as shown in Fig. 11.

The switch 53 is connected into the circuit of one of the motors, as for example the motor 42; and a similar switch 54 is provided at a higher level adjacent the sheath 52a and is connected into the circuit of the other motor 42a, each switch being wired to a terminal block in conventional manner, as shown in Fig. 10. A switch operating member comprises a cylinder :55 -of steel or other magnetic material, and first and second movable actuating means are provided for moving this operating member adjacent the switch magnets 53c and 540 for operating the switches. The first movable actuating means comprises a rod 56 centrally disposed for longitudinal movement within the sheath. The cylinder is freely slidable on the rod between predetermined limits defined by spaced stop members on the rod, these stop members being shown as comprising a first stop pin 56a adjacent the top of the rod and a second stop pin 56b placed below the pin 56a a distance approximately equal to the length of the cylinder 55. The cylinder has a top portion 55a which engages these stop members so that the cylinder can move freely on the rod 56 between an upper position (speaking with reference to the position of the cylinder on the rod) as shown in Fig. 11 and a lower position as shown in Fig. 12.

Second movable actuating means are provided for moving the first actuating means through engagement with the cylinder 55. This second actuating means comprises a pair of rods 66a and 60b spaced on opposite sides of the rod 56. The rods 60a and 60b each has a threaded portion at its lower end, this portion on each ,rod being screwed into a complementary threaded opening in a rest member 6| which is non-magnetic, and may comprise a cylinder of brass longitudinally slidable on the rod 56. At their upper ends the rods 60a and 601) are riveted to a spacer block 62 into which is threaded a push rod 63. A nipple 64 is mounted in the top of .the sheath 52a, and the push rod 63 extends through the nipple to provide a leak-proof seal. At its upper end the push rod 63 carries spaced collars 65a and 65b, and the slotted end 66a of a bell crank lever 66 straddles the push rod between the collars 65a and 65b to provide a lost motion connection between the push rod 63 and the bell crank lever 66. The bell crank lever ,is .pivotedat 61 on :a bracket 68 extending upwardly from the ,floor 14 of the pit structure, and the other end of the lever extends downwardly to .2. .pointladjacent the end of the actuating member Y34 and is connected .to said actuating member by a link 10 .pivotally connected to the .end of the bellcrank and to the end of the member 84 at :the point of connection of the members M and 33 so that the float 50 may be moved between the raised or out of the way position adjacent the top-of the chamber l 01) in the disposal pipe, as shown in Figs. 4 and 10, to a lower'or operative position in the path of material flowing through the disposal pipe, the level of the float 50 being controlled by the level of liquid in the pipe when the float is in its lower position.

The operation of the apparatus, while basically the same as that described in my earlier patent, is improved over the operation of the earlier structure. During normal operation of course, the parts are positioned as shown in Fig. 4, the main valve ZO'being open as shown in full lines in said figure. During flood conditions, fluid may back up from the street sewer into the chamber 10a of the disposal pipe .IIJ, raising the float 22 and closing the switch within the housing to close the circuit of the motor 25. Thismotor is arranged to rotate the crank arm 30 through an arc of degrees. During this rotation the linkage connected to the crank arm 30 will move the actuating member 34 .to :close the main valve 20 against-the force of the spring 31, .as shown in broken lines in Fig. 4. At the same time, the linkage will move the lower end of the bell crank 56 to the right, moving the upper end downwardly. The lost motion connection provided between the bell crank 66 and the push rod 63 may be adjusted to obtain proper timing of the apparatus to insure that the main valve closes completely.

When the float 50 is up adjacent the top of the disposal pipe in its normal position, the relationship of the parts within the sheath 52a is shown in Fig. 11. The cylinder 55 rests upon the rest member 6| which lifts the cylinder up against the top stop member 56a, and the second actuating means (comprising the spaced rods 60a and 60b and the rest member 6|) holds the first actuating means (comprising the rod 56) in an upper position wherein the cylinder 55 is away from the magnets 53c and 540 of both switches. While not shown in the drawings, if desired, a third normally closed switch may be placed above the switches 53 and 54 in position to beopened when the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 11, the magnet of the third switch being adjacent the magnet cylinder 55. If such a third switch is used, it may be connected into the circuit of both motors, thus holding the circuit of the motors open when the float is up. The construction shown in the drawings acts to hold both motors inoperative while the connecting means to the motor 25 hold the float in rest position, since the magnetic cylinder 55 is out of field of the magnets associated with both switches 53 and 54.

When the motor 25 operates to lower the float 50 and close the valve 20, the rods 60a, and 60b and the rest member 6| are moved down to the position of Fig. 12. The cylinder 55 and float carrying rod 56 move downwardly by gravity until the float rests upon the surface of the liquid in the pipe. During the downward movement, the cylinder 55 passes adjacent the magnet 54c, closing the circuit to the motor 42a. As the downward movement continues, the cylinder passes adjacent the magnet 530 so that the circuit is closed to the motor 42, and as the downward movement continues further the cylinder passes out of the field of the magnet 54c allowing the switch 54 to shut off the motor 42a; and

then the cylinder passes out of the fieldof the magnet 530 to shut off the motor 42.

This operation is important since it is possible that the motors have not operated for several months, and this brief operation of the motors in sequence limbers the motors before they are placed under load since the main valve 20 is still partially open while the motors are limbered.

With the second movable actuating means in the position of Fig. 12, the float is under the control of liquid in the chamber lilb. In Fig. 12 it is assumed that the liquid is at such a level that both motors 42 and 42a are operated to utilize both pumps and by-pass the main valve through the passageways 40 and 4011,. Should the flow of material from the building decrease, lowering the float from the position of Fig. 12 out of the field of the magnet 540, this magnet will return to the position of Fig. 11, shutting off the motor 42a. chamber lUb lower still further, the float will be moved out of the field of the magnet 53c by the stop 56a, shutting off both motors. The lost motion connection providing a range of movement of the cylinder 55 between the spaced stop members 56a. and 561) provides improved control Should the level of material in the in the system and enables the system to operate over a greater range without turning the motors on and off repeatedly. For example, in Fig. 12, as the liquid level in the disposal pipe rose to raise the float to the position shown, the cylinder would be carried upwardly by the stop member 56b as shown, so that both motors would be operated when the liquid in the pipe reached a predetermined level. Once both motors are in operation they will continue to operate until the float lowers sufllciently that the stop 56a pulls the cylinder down out of the field of the magnet 540. As the float lowers to this position the cylinder will be held in the position shown by Fig. 12 by magnetic attraction until engaged by the stop member 55a.

While I have shown and described certain embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that it is capable of many modifications. Changes, therefore, in the construction and arrangement may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as disclosed in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a flood control system associated with a. disposal pipe and including main valve means in said pipe, motor means for operating said valve means, a by-pass passageway communicating with said pipe on opposite sides of the main valve means and a pump in said passageway for forcing material in the pipe behind the main valve means through said passageway, apparatus of the character described for housing said system, comprising: a lower pit structure adjacent said pipe and housing said by-pass passageway; an upper pit structure adjacent said lower pit structure, said upper pit having a floor; and a drain pipe extending from said upper pit through said floor, and into said passageway below the minimum level of liquid therein to provide a deep seal trap.

2. In a flood control system associated with a disposal pipe and including main valve means in said pipe, motor means for operating said valve means, a by-pass passageway communicating with said pipe on opposite sides of the main valve means and a pump in said passageway for forcing material in the pipe behind the main valve means through said passageway, apparatus of the character described for housing said system, comprising: a lower pit structure adjacent said pipe and housing said by-pass passageway; an upper pit structure seated on said lower pit structure, said upper pit having a floor forming the cover of the lower pit; and a drain pipe extending from said upper pit adjacent the bottom thereof, through said cover, and into said passageway adjacent the outlet of said pump and below the minimum level of liquid in said passageway to provide a deep seal trap.

3. Apparatus of the character claimed in claim 2, wherein the motor means are housed in the lower pit structure and the drain pipe is provided with a readily removable plug at its upper end.

4. A flood control system associated with a disposal pipe, including: main valve means in said pipe; valve operating means for opening and closing said main valve means, said valve operating means including motor means; a by-pass passageway communicating with said pipe on opposite sides of the main valve means; a check valve in said passageway permitting substantial flow only ,in the disposal direction; a pump in said passageway for forcing material in the pipe .behind the main valve means through said passageway; control means comprising float-actuated switch means for operating said pump in accordance with the level of liquid in the pipe behind the main valve means; and plunger means attached to said float, said plunger means being actuated by said motor means for moving said float to an out of the way position when said main valve is open and for moving said float to an operative position where it is controlled by liquid in said pipe when said main valve is closed.

5. A flood control system associated with a disposal pipe, including: main valve means in said pipe; valve operating means for opening and closing said main valve means, said valve operating means including first motor means; control means for operatin said first motor means in accordance with the level of liquid in the pipe in front of the main valve means; a by-pass passageway communicating with said pipe on opposite sides of the main valve means; a check valve in said passageway permitting substantial flow only in the disposal direction; a pump in said passageway for forcing material in the pipe behind the main valve means through said passageway; control means comprising a float in said pipe, switch means adapted to be actuated by said float, and second motor means controlled by said switch means for operating said pump in accordance with the level of liquid in the pipe behind the main valve means; and plunger means attached to said float, linkage connected to said plunger and actuated by said first motor means for raising said float to an out of the way position adjacent the top of said pipe when said main valve is being opened and for lowerin said float into said pipe when said main valve is being closed, the float level being controlled by liquid in said pipe when in lowered position, and the second motor means being operated briefly while said float is moving between raised and lowered positions and being inoperative while the connecting means hold the float in raised position.

6. Apparatus of the character claimed in claim 5, wherein there are two by-pass passagewaysand a pump in each passageway, and said second motor means includes a separate motor for each pump, one motor being operated when the float reaches a predetermined level and both motors being operated when the float reaches a predetermined higher level.

7. Apparatus of the character claimed in claim 5, wherein there are two by-pass passageways and a pump in each passageway, and said second motor means includes a separate motor for each pump, one motor being operated when the float reaches a predetermined level and both motors being operated when the float reaches a predetermined higher level, the motors of said second motor means being operated briefly in sequence while said float is moving between raised and lowered positions, and both motors being inoperative while the connecting means hold the float in raised position.

8. A flood control system associated with a, dis posal pipe, including: main valve means in said pipe providing a first chamber in front of said main valve means and a second chamber behind said main valve means, there being a vent always open to provide communication between said chambers when the main valve is closed; valve operating means for opening and closing said main valve means, said valve operating means including motor means; a by-pass passageway between said chambers; a check valve in said pas sageway permitting substantial flow only in the disposal direction; and pump means in said passageway for forcing material in the pipe behind the main valve means through said passageway.

9. A flood control system associated with a disposal pipe, including: main valve means in said pipe providing a first chamber in front of said main valve means and a second chamber behind said main valve means, there being a vent always open adjacent said main valve providing communication between said chambers when the main valve is closed; valve operating means for opening and closing said main valve means, said valve operating means including motor means; control means comprising float actuated means for operating said motor means in accordance with the level of liquid in the chamber in front of the main valve means; a by-pass passageway between said chambers; a check valve in said passageway permitting substantial flow only in the disposal direction; and pump means in said passageway for forcing material in the pipe behind the main valve means through said passageway.

10. A flood control system associated with a disposal pipe, including: main valve means in said pipe providing a first chamber in front of said main valve means and a second chamber behind said main valve means; valve operating means for opening and for positively closing said main valve means, said valve 0 crating means including motor means; a by-pass passageway between said chambers; a check valve in said passageway permitting substantial fl w only in the disposal direction, there being a small vent always open through said check valve in said passageway; and pump means in said passageway for forcing material in the pipe behind the main valve means through said passageway.

11. A flood control system associated with a disposal pipe, including: main valve means in said pipe providing a first chamber in front of said main valve means and a second chamber behind said main valve means, there being a vent always open adjacent said main valve providing communication between said chambers when the main valve is closed; valve operating means for opening and for positively closing said main valve means, said valve operating means including motor means; control means comprising float-actuated switch means for operating said motor means in accordance with the level of liquid in the pipe in front of the main valve means; a bypass passageway between said chambers; a check valve in said passageway permitting substantial flow only in the disposal direction, there being a small vent always open through said check valve in said passageway; and pump means in said passageway for forcing material in the pipe behind the main valve means through said passageway.

12. In a flood control system associated with a disposal pipe and including main valve means in said pipe, first motor means for op rating said valve means, a by-pass passage ay connected with said pipe on opposite sides of e main valve means, a pump in said passageway for forcing material in the pipe behind the main valve means through said passageway and second motor means for operating said pump, control means for operating said pump in accordance with the level of liquid in the pipe behind the main valve means, including: a non-magnetic framework including a vertically extending sheath, a mercury switch member pivotally mounted on the framework outside the sheath, said switch member being connected in the circuit of said second motor and 13 being biased to open position and having a magnet adjacent said sheath; a cylinder of magnetic material for operating the switch, magnetic attraction between the cylinder and magnet causing the switch to pivot to closed position when the cylinder is adjacent the magnet; first movable actuating means comprising a rod having the cylinder mounted thereon near the top end thereof within said sheath, the cylinder being freely slidable on the rod between predetermined limits defined by spaced stop members on the rod; second movable actuating means for moving the first actuating means through engagement with the cylinder, comprising a pair of rods spaced on opposite sides of said first rod and carrying a non-magnetic rest member which is slidable on said first rod and is adapted to engage the bottom end of the cylinder to move the cylinder and first rod upwardly, the cylinder being freely slidable on said pair of rods to provide a lost motion connection between the first and second actuating means; and a float connected to the lower end of the first rod for moving the first actuating means and the cylinder within predetermined limits independently of the second actuating means.

13. Apparatus of the character claimed in claim 12, wherein there are two pumps in the system and separate motors for operating each pump and wherein the claimed combination includes two mercury switches arranged at different levels adjacent said sheath, one switch being closed when the float reaches a predetermined level and both switches being closed when the float reaches a predetermined higher level.

14. Apparatus of the character claimed in claim 12, wherein there are two pumps in the system and separate motors for operating each pump and wherein the claimed combination includes two mercury switches arranged at different levels adjacent said sheath, one switch being closed when the float reaches a predetermined level and both switches being closed when the float reaches a predetermined higher level. both switches being closed briefly in sequence by movement of the second actuating means, and both switches being open while the second actuating means hold the float in rest position.

ELRA F. HOWE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 244,468 McElroy July 19, 1881 605,202 Mullenhoff June 7, 1898 2,174,332 Schweighart Sept. 26, 1939 2,292,648 Moore Aug. 11, 1942 2,347,544 DeCosta et a1 Apr. 25, 1944 2,421,066 Howe May 27, 1947 2,431,640 Gordon Nov. 25, 1947 2,488,758 Binforcl Nov. 22, 1949 2,503,089 Binford Apr. 4, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 39,550 France Nov. 30, 1931 

